M51/NGC5195

M51 and its companion, NGC5195, make a striking pair in Canes Venatici. The very pronounced star forming regions in the arms are a result of the encounter with the companion. The outflow from NGC5195 is also the result of the close encounter. Together, this makes a large 11.1' x 6.9' galaxy of mag 9.2 brightness. This was taken at Chiefland during the CFAS Astrofest held there in March, '05.

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Image info:

10" Homemade Newtonian on a Losmandy Titan Mount

Starlight Express
SXV-H9C

83x2 mins

f/4.6 with Paracorr

Acquired in Astroart and processed in Maxim as an RGB image (no darks and no flats)

guided with an STV on a piggybacked Sky90 refractor

3.12.05

Chiefland